Valve construction



Jan. 2, 1945. H, T. LAMBERT 2,366,412

VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed "out. 51 1941 LEE- . INVENTOR Homer' TlamierzTToRNEla Patented Jan. 2,1945

VALVE CONSTRUCTION Homer 'r. Lambert, St. Joseph, Mich., men..- to TheLambert Brake Corporation, St. Joseph, Mich., a corporation of MichiganApplication October 31, 1941, Serial No. 417,309

2 Claims. (01. 137-139) The present invention relates to a valveconstruction, and particularly relates to improvements in magnetic valvestructures.

One of the primary objects is to provide improvements in valvestructures of the type mentioned which may operate under high pressures,for example, up to 1000 pounds per square inch, without leakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved and simplifiedvalve structure of the type mentioned which is economical to manufactureand which has a single movable operating part.

Another object of the invention is to provide improvement in a valve ofthe type mentioned which is positive in its action in both seating andunseating the valve element.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the followingspecification, the drawing relating thereto, and the claims hereinafterset forth.

In the drawing, in which like numerals are used to designate like partsthroughout:

Figure l is a cross-sectional view through a valve embodying features ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2of Fi 1;

, Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line3-3 of Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 4 is a partial view, similar to Fig. 1, and showing one of thevalve elements in a diiierent position from that shown in Fig. 1.

One of the forms of the present invention has particular utility whenused in an hydraulic braking system such as that disclosed and claimedin the copending application of Homer T. Lambert, Serial No. 417,308,filed concurrently herewith. However, the valves of th present inventionhave utility in other fields as well. For example, such valves may beused for high speed industrial machines and machinery when it becomesnecessary to change the flow of hydraulic pressure from one operation toanother by simply actuating an electric switch. In such use there may bea central distribution point from which there would be several fluidpressure lines operating many machines. The electromagnetic valves ofthe present type may then be used to shut ofi pressure for anyparticular line and from a remote. control.

Referring to the drawing, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4thereof, one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in whicha valve, generally indicated at I9, is shown. Such valve I9 is of theelectromagnetic type and includes a non-magnetic valv body portion 42,which may be made from brass, or other suitable metal that will not beaffected by magnetic torque or magnetic attraction. The body portion 42is formed with a transverse bore 44 having tubular projecting portions46 and 48 which are internally threaded. Steel cores 50 and 52, havingreduced and threaded inner ends, are threadably received within theprojections 46 and 48, respectively. The cores 5% and 52 are tubular inform, thus providing longitudinally extending channels or conduit 54 and56, respectively, therethrough. Such cores are the cores for theelectric coils 58 and 60, respectively, which are wound in the usualmanner and disposed at the sides of the valve body portion 42 inembracing and surrounding relation to the core members 50 and 52. Thecores 50 and 52 may be formed from any metal that will become highlymagnetized when a current of electricity passes through the coils 58 and60.

The valve body 42 is provided with a downwardly directing portionforming a valve chamber 62. .A metal plug 64, which is formed of brassor other non-magnetic material, is threadably received within the bodyportion 42 for providing access to the chamber 62 so that a metal ballvalve 66 may be disposed therein which is adapted to set upon adepressed portion formed in the inner surface of the plug 64. The ball66 is formed from a suitable magnetic metal to have the highest magneticattraction obtainable. This ball will rest in its seat in the lowerportion of the chamber 62, being held there by gravity until an electriccurrent is produced in either one of the coils 58 and 60, at which timethe corresponding core 50 or 52 is magnetized to attract the ball overthe end of the corresponding core, thus blocking the passage intoconduit 54 or 56, depending Of course upon which coil is energized.

Non-magnetic, metal, tubular bushings 68 and 10, which are relativelythin, are pressed into the inner ends of the cores and 52, respectively,so as to prevent the metal ball from adhering to or sticking to its seatwith respect to the cores 50 and 52. This is a safety measure in order.to insure proper and positive action of the valve in that the cores 50or 52 and the ball 66 may retain a portion of the magnetism and the ballwould then not release or disengage itself from that core to which itwas attracted. With the thin portions of the non-magnetic members 68 and10, the ball will drop as soon as the electric current is disconnectedor the circuit is broken.

A tubular fluid pressure conduit 12 is connected to the coil 58.

nected to the hexhead end of the core 82 through a tube nut "so that thetubular conduit is in registry. with the conduit 88. Such conduit I2leads to and provides the pressure line connected to a suitableoperating element. A similar fluid conduit 18 is connected to the core88 by a tube nut I8 in communication with the conduit 84 and leads toanother operating element.

A fluid under pressureirom a suitable source is conducted into-theinterior or the valve l8 through an inlet channel 88 formed in an inletplugv 82 formed from a non-magnetic metal. Such plug 82 is receivedwithin a tapped opening provided in the valve body 42 and communicateswith an inlet chamber 84 which is located centrally oi the valve bodybetween the inner ends of the cores 88 and 82. Such member 82 isthreadably fastened to the end of a conduit or the like leading to thesource of supply.

The outlet end of the member 82 is so formed as to check the fluidpressure entering the core of the member 42 just enough toprevent themetal ball 88 from lifting by the force or the "fluid and to prevent astraight flow of fluid and spread it against the side walls. of thevalve body. This prevents swirling of the fluid under high velocity andthereby prevents any agitation oi the ball 88 under pressure. Toaccomplish this the inner end 88 of the valve body is of reduceddiameter with respect to the diameter of the chamber 84 and is providedwith a plurality of transversely extending apertures 88 which aredrilled crosswise oi the inner end. Thus the fluid under pressureentering through conduit 88 strikes against the bailie end 88 and isdiverted radially outwardly through apertures 88 into the space betweenthe small end of the plug and the wall of the chamber 84.

With the ball in the position shown in 88 and without energizing eitherof the coils 88 and 88, it will be seen that when the fluid underpressure enters through conduit 88 such fluid under pressure passesthrough both of the conduits 84 and 88 to the pressure lines I8 and I2,respectively. However, when it is desired to block flow through one ofthe lines, means are provided for energizing one of the coils so thatfluid to one of the lines is blocked off and the other line only will beacted upon by the fluid pressure.

Such means includes a terminal post 98 which is electrically connectedto the coil 88, and another terminal post 82 which is electrically con-Suitable fastener nuts are associated with the posts 80 and 82 forfastening wire connections thereto.

- vided with end insulating flanges 84 having 031- Each of the coils orspools 88 and 88 is prolindrical insulating covers 88 associatedtherewith so that the coils are encased within insulation.

In order to form the ground for the coils 88 and 88, brass washers 88are interposed between the inner insulating members 84 and the valvebody portion 42. The coils 88 and 88 are electrically connected to thegrounds 88 by means of metal, electrical conducting members 88 whichproject through the inner insulating members 84. Suitable ground wiresare connected to the members 88 and are suitably grounded.

An air vent plug I82 is provided in an air vent passageway formed in thebody 42 which communicates with the inner chambers thereof for bleedingair from the valve and from all oi the connecting fluid lines in orderto provide for proper operation of the fluid brakes.

What is claimed is:

1. An electromagnetic valve comprising a valve housin having an interiorchamber, means providing an inlet into said chamber, means providing aplurality of outlets from said chamber, said last-named means includinga plurality of magnetizable conduit members, a magnetically attractedball valve element movably disposed within said chamber and movabletoward either of said conduit members to block flow therethrough, meansto selectively magnetize said conduit members, and a relatively thinnonmagnetizable element disposed between each of said conduit membersand said element when said element is attracted to either of saidconduit members.

2. An electromagnetic valve comprising a valve housing having aninterior chamber, means providing an inlet into said chamber, meansproviding a plurality of outlets from said chamber, said last-namedmeans including a plurality of magnetizable conduit members, amagnetically attracted ball valve element movably disposed within saidchamber and movable toward either of said conduit members to block flowtherethrough. means to selectively magnetize said conduit members, and arelatively thin non-magnetizable element secured to the inner end ofeach of said conduit members and adapted to be engaged by said valveelement when said valve element is attracted to either of said conduitmembers.

HOMER T. LAMBERT.

